MANNA DAILY DEVOTIONAL by Deborah Galyen

“Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image …” (v15). As part of their covenant renewal ritual, the Israelites declared verbally what actions deserved to be “cursed” because they were contrary to life under God’s rule. Setting up a false idol, dishonoring parents, abusing the disabled, oppressing foreigners, the fatherless, or widows, sexual immorality, and murder were all behaviors deserving of God’s punishment (v15-26).

“Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them” (v26). We “confirm” what we believe by doing what we know God wants, and He turns away from sin and toward righteousness for our good.